| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
|
Septic System-Problem
It sounds like a job for a pro and very likely would turn into a new system. Regs here prevent most repairs to any system that's below current code. There are some things that can help leach fields but I wouldn't be too hopeful unless the outlet is blocked somewhere. Leach fields don't last forever.
These things can turn into very expensive problems since new conventional systems can't be approved for some properties. Of course, operation of an inadequate system can get expensive too. However, irrespective of rules you really don't want to contaminate yours or anybody's well. Maybe hope for an intact tank, too much paper, a blocked outlet and a fairly decent leach field.
If you're not ready for a new system, a possibility is that existing system wasn't intended for modern family use. Reducing the flow through it might get you by. One way to reduce flow is to try for approval for a gray water leach pit and run the laundry and bath water into the pit.
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Septic System-Problem
We're waiting for the contractor to get around to installing a new system right now. The old system works OK but I knew the cedar logs covering the top of two cement block tanks were rotted after I had it pumped several years ago. We had a sinkhole over part of the secondary tank this spring after the snow melted. I stuck a shovel in just to verify that a log had given away. Word from the officials was 'no dice no repairs' even though it's working just fine. We went with a gray water pit and composting toilet at our camp to avoid codes that otherwise require a full residential system.
Good luck, and just hope for adequate perc tests and adequate property size and well location should the need arise. Till it's sorted out it might be good to do laundry and baths someplace else, avoid flushing and maybe have any well water used for drinking tested. Of course, in some places a failed water test invites more official problems. Better to have official than health problems though for both you and your neighbours.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Septic System-Problem
In Texas there were no codes for rural properties over 10 acres. Might still be true but at least requirements would vary widely so costs would be hard to say.
Some old systems are nothing but a 55-gallon drum and a length of leach line. It works OK for low flows in sandy soil. In clay there's a good chance that stone would have been used in the field itself but maybe not around the feed from the tank to the field.
Nothing wrong with a dedicated field for spreading and there's one in use near here that's in a municipality and fairly close to residential areas. Our government here in Ontario has a bill to ban all spreading of human waste but they haven't quite found a solution yet. Ours will be pumped and spread for $150 compared to $600 - $800 if the government ever bullies municipalities into taking waste from rural areas.
The system approved for our small house and sandy soil is an 800-gallon tank and 200' of leach line in 4 50' runs. It will cost around $3,000CN.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Septic System-Problem
The specs for the approved gray water pit at our camp were: a 6' x 12' pit allowing for stone on the bottom. The pit has a central open-bottomed cube of approximately 4' built from cement blocks facing outward and capped with a cement slab. The pit is filled with stone. Untreated building paper is placed over the top and it's covered with top-soil. The paper prevents soil intrusion until it firms and plants start growing and then deteriorates. It is rated for 1,500 liters daily in our sandy soil.
In our case only 1' of the pit is below grade due to a high spring water table. That's Murf's point about ground water contamination. It's an issue even for gray water. What works depends both on the soil's perc rate and minimum water table depth. I don't think codes allow both a septic and a gray water system.
Some of the codes make sense and some don't. It might be good if gray water pits were encouraged and then adequate septic systems might be smaller. Since the government decided that frequent pumping is good but spreading is bad, maybe smaller systems might make sense. Not withstanding the requirements of 'offadumb,' there are quite a few open bottomed 55-gallon drums down slope from houses that seem to be adequate for laundry and dishwater sized volume. They are more prone to freezing though.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 90208 Filter by Poster:
1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
DennisCTB
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
07-06-2004, 20:25 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us